A novel study of sulfur-absorption via samarium-doped cerium sorbent at high temperature

Abstract

Sulfides existing in many gas mixtures of high temperature cases have a negative effect on various industrial applications. In this study, we present samarium-doped cerium (SDC) sorbent to remove H2S at high temperature. Compared with pure CeO2, the SDC sorbent shows excellent ability in sulfur removal because of the positive effect of the doping of Sm. The H2 has a negative influence on sulfidation of the SDC sorbent and significantly shortens the breakthrough time, hence breakthrough sulfur capacity (BSC). The carbon monoxide present in the feed gas has no obvious effect on the sulfur-removal performance. A suitable samarium loading in SDC leads to an optimum interaction between metal oxide species and the surface oxygen vacancies, which results in an optimal adsorbed activity of reduced gas (H2, H2S) and hence desulphurization performance. In addition, the SDC sorbents have a good regenerated ability by a simple calcination process.